| a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison. |
| a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc. |
breath (brɛθ) ![]() | |
| —n | |
| 1. | the intake and expulsion of air during respiration |
| 2. | the air inhaled or exhaled during respiration |
| 3. | a single respiration or inhalation of air, etc |
| 4. | the vapour, heat, or odour of exhaled air: his breath on the window melted the frost |
| 5. | a slight gust of air |
| 6. | a short pause or rest: take a breath for five minutes |
| 7. | a brief time: it was done in a breath |
| 8. | a suggestion or slight evidence; suspicion: a breath of scandal |
| 9. | a whisper or soft sound |
| 10. | life, energy, or vitality: the breath of new industry |
| 11. | phonetics Compare voice the passage of air through the completely open glottis without vibration of the vocal cords, as in exhaling or pronouncing fricatives such as (f) or (h) or stops such as (p) or (k) |
| 12. | a breath of fresh air a refreshing change from what one is used to |
| 13. | catch one's breath to rest until breathing is normal, esp after exertion |
| 14. | hold one's breath to wait expectantly or anxiously |
| 15. | in the same breath done or said at the same time |
| 16. | out of breath gasping for air after exertion |
| 17. | save one's breath to refrain from useless talk |
| 18. | take one's breath away to overwhelm with surprise, etc |
| 19. | under one's breath, below one's breath in a quiet voice or whisper |
| [Old English brǣth; related to brǣdan to burn, Old High German brādam heat, breath] | |
breath (brěth)
n.
The air inhaled and exhaled in respiration.
A single respiration.